Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-08-26
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Written and compiled for the Herald.

of Commissioner Sparks has offend
ed almost beyond measure. That
the railroad and the others effected
by the order will not surrender
without a great fight is clear, and
so the misguided settlers who
"squat7 upon these lands will 1nd
to their sorrow that they have be-
come involved in interminable liti-
CATION with wealthy corporations.
But, what cares Cleveland for the
woes of the poor squatters, if he
can only make some cheap politi-
cal capital that will temporarily
serve his purpose in ambitiOning
second term.
The report of the appointments
of postmasters during this Admin
istratiOn shows that the Democrat
ic spoilsmen have gained a rich
harvest in this field of "reiOrm.'
1t shows that for the last fiscal
year, 3,O4S, new post Offices were
established; number discontinued,
500; appointments on resigna-
tions and commissions expired,
1858; on removals and suspensions,
1854; on changes of names and
sites, 1872; on deaths of postmasters,
$50. The whole number of appoint
ments of postmasters of all grades
during the year was 1909. The to-
tai number of appointments for the
years 1885 and 1886 was 22,747
and 9,547, respectively, making a
total 46,37S for the three years.
This is a pretty near approach to a
clean sweep, and the few Republi-
cans who are still in Office will like
| IL have to go out in another year.
The cordial endorsement of Mr..
Blaine by the Pennsylvania Repub-
Iican State Convention is received
with great satisfaction by host of
his ardent admirers at the Capital,
who claim that this movement now
puts the Maine Statesman on his
feet neck and neck with the Ohio
Senator in the great Presidential
race of 1888. That Senator Sher-
man and Mr.. Blaine are at present
| the two most popular and promi-
nent candidates In the Republican
party goes without saying, and
with the admirable staying quail
ties possessed by both, it is highly
probable that each will run until
| the home stretch is reached, when
one of them will perhaps be laid
out to distance Cleveland in the
great sweepstakes.
Since writing you last, the Sec
rotary of the Navy, has taken other
important steps IN constructing the
navy, by awarding the contract
for building two gunboats and three
steel cruisers, OF the latest improv-
ed modern designs with the fullest
speed, capacity and general equip
ment. The Secretary has also
given an English Company the
prize of $4,000 authorized by Con-
gress for the best design of a tor
pedO boat, and the probability is
that such a destructive vessel will
at no distant day be added to the
navy.
After tedious delays, the trial of
DR.. Crawford, of the Navy, on the
charge of fornication with a school
girl of fourteen, has ended in his
conviction on two counts, with a
sentence of six months in the Dis
trict Jail for each otfense, bat, on
appealing the case to the Supreme
Court of the District, he was re-
leased on bail of $1,000. The con-
fding victim of this lecherouS dude
incorporating IN blue uniform and
brass buttons, has been spirited
away, and her abode is a mystery.
If the fallen surgeon does not resign
from the Navy, he will probably be
cOurt.martialed.
Great science dropped his head
in sorrow when the light faded
from the weary eyes of the genius
of the world noted Smithsonian In
stituuon, Spencer F. Baird. This
devotee of science, though one of
the ripest scholars of the age, was
lifelong student in the profession
to which he dedicated himself in
early life with a passionate devO.
ton only Qnenched by the shadow
of the grave itself Prof. Bard
who was chiefly instrumental in es-
tablishing and bringing to its pres
ent proportions the United States
Fish Commission, and for that
benefcent work, which will be as
sociated with his memory through
ont many years, the American peo'
pie owe the dead scientist a debt
OF gratitude that should be perpet
uated in towering marble. "Verily
his works do follow him." for mil
lions Of silvery fish that sport and
sparkle in our llmped, laughing
waters are the bright evangels OF
his fame. Nicely Drowned with a
mealy potato these fish are very
good eating.
West Virginia is not satisfied
with the Roanoke platform. See
what the Charleston wv. Va.
| Democrat says;
"Tboughtful men everywhere are